LadyInWhite

When i first built my armor I looked for any and every excuse to wear it. I'm a little less inclined nowadays, but I do miss it when the stretch between troops is too long. (Like more than 2 weeks) P.S. I can sit, but leaning back is scary because I don't want to break the back plate.

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Thanks, Andy! Happy Turkeys to you too! Wait, no turkey is happy on Thanksgiving.

I have no idea what it comes from (auto/home) and I couldn't find it at my local hardware store or Pep Boys so I bought mine at Trooperbay...

That's great art. Funny I was also thinking "KEEEVVVIINNNN"

I think these would be acceptable for basic and EI. Good thing we have lots of boot painting tutorials I don't think I paid $49. for my TK Boots tho... Boots For 501st approval: White leather or leather-like, above ankle height, with a flat sole with a short heel, and small U-shaped elastic sections on both sides of the ankle with no buckles or laces. Jodhpur/Chelsea-type boots or an equivalent style is acceptable. Elvis or Mariachi boots are not allowed. For level two certification (if applicable): For level three certification (if applicable): There shall be no seam on the front of the boot (e.g. CABoots are not allowed).

Pretty much any will work, but watch out for seams that are not black. Those groin seams might be visible on the outer edges of your cod piece, so you'd want to sharpie them black or something. The main thing is that no visible seams show and that they fit you well... brand, etc. not an issue. East Bay sometimes has awesome sales, too... grab an extra pair when that comes up!

Paint job looks great The vocodor looks fine, don't stress it. Except for the lack of pants, you are starting to shape up quite nicely!!! You will get approved with any blue, but when you get your hawt self in gear for EIB, Model Masters French Blue is the new black, so to speak.

I did not mean to offend everyone in the universe here, nor create confusion. I was asking a legitimate question about the paint colors. I won't derail the thread further by attempting to learn about this change so I can better my own costume and those I help. So we can all be friendly now and focus on Troy's most excellent EIB build. Troy, you look spectacular and I am sorry I apparently created drama.

Is French Blue required? Blue Angel Blue (slightly darker) was acceptable when I was in the queue and I got it from the paint PDF thingy found here in several threads. I prefer the slightly darker blue on the abs myself. French Blue looks so "painted" Anyway I just didn't know if this has changed.

Can't be TOO skinny! Anyhoo, good luck, Tim!

Are you too skinny? The EIB question is a little more on the subjective side. I would err on what looks most correct based on wearing it, but it depends what the DO thinks. At worst, apply and see what feedback you get. Look at many other applicants who passed and also look at screen grabs. Since every body is different, the placement of every single detail is sometimes our best interpretation. IMHO, the boxes may need to be moved a little bit more outside. It is nice that your thighs come up and close the gap really well, which may be adding to the illusion that the drop boxes are weird. How are they attached to the belt? Can you detach them and re-attach so that they are cheated a little more on the outside of the last ammo box on each end? Unsolicited: your forearms look pretty large, you may want to consider trimming those down to be a bit more snug.

Run, Tim! Run!!!

Those kids would have been totally embarrassed!!!

The thousands of us who have built armor and documented it with great photos in a build thread........... at least hundreds of those can be converted to tutorials to help others. Don't think a tutorial has to be done a certain way or meet some criteria - if you are willing to donate your research, photos, and process, and others can replicate it, you have a tutorial on your hands like gold. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, let me know and I'll make it for you or help you with it.

Cool. Upstanding is a great phrase.

I have nothing against Trooperbay, but I'd recommend painting some Chelsea boots.

You can get info on the armor makers here and then PM or email them to ask if they have helmets available, etc. These will be good ones Ideally whomever you buy from also convinces you to dive into a superior suit of armor, too? hehe Also go to the Introduction threads and help us get to know you

Haha that's fun! Great looking bunch!!!

Regarding the CRLs, the way it works is we, as a detachment, vote on what we want to require. Then the DL and, if he chooses, his staff or a committee or just him or whatever, decides which of those to present to the LGMLOGWOL whatever those people are in the Legion who say yea or nay to these things. (I'm never sure what any of the titles are, I should probably educate myself on that.) And then things *may or may not* be revised in the CRL. There's some politics and diplomacy and timing and other factors involved that aren't as simple as "just change the CRL." And don't forget we did up the requirements this summer! It is quite possible that we simply spell it out on the detachment level and all level 2 and 3 points in the CRL state, "See detachment award description for details." But for now that is not the case, sorry, things are what they are.

Yes, they look good and clean. For the vent stripes, remember on the trap they go outward at the bottom, a little flare. I mussed that up myself... still mean to fix it. Press lightly so your vent lines are a little thinner. I used some horizontal tape to mark the top and bottoms of these after my gray had completely dried.

Nice. It's all about the edgework.

I don't see where the width of the tan straps is even relevant. This suit is perfect and he wears it perfectly. He is being an extremely good sport for this level of nit-pickery that isn't even on the CRL. The back of the thigh was a reasonable request, and we all know that sometimes during photos our armor doesn't always line up perfectly, but that doesn't mean a few millimeters means it's completely off. I know it's not "just a checklist" but sometimes I feel like our level of anal retentiveness encroaches on the ridiculous. Especially when the same holster has already proven itself acceptable for Centurion, and it doesn't even have to be leather much less leather of a specific color or width. And this is still EIB not even Centurion. I'm just stepping in to remind *everyone* who watches and contributes to the EI and Centurion threads to be realistic about this process. EI is about going beyond "15 pieces of flair" and though we want to make sure the wearer looks good and puts some pride into it, there's a point where we should be able to recognize when it's enough. I'd say holster strap width isn't even one of those pieces of flair - if it needs to be, we should consider amending the CRL. Holster For 501st approval: Holster is worn on left side of belt. It must be made of black leather or leather-like material, and must be attached via two leather or leather-like material straps to the belt from behind instead of front, with no loops covering the outside of the belt. The holster must be affixed with only two fasteners at the bottom (one per strap). The fasteners may be rivets, snaps, or Chicago screws. . For level two certification (if applicable): For level three certification (if applicable): {{{5}}}

Not to mention, thermoplastics are "thermo" plastics... they soften with heat. This is what makes them form to the mold. There are many kinds of plastics, and I believe styrofoam is a heat-sensitive type that will melt under low heat, which makes it not ideal to make sheets from. Crafting foam is similar, and it is mostly air. I'm just talking out of my a very impolite person, here, because I don't know the chemistry, only my observation of what happens to these things when you heat them. Many other plastics are hard and do not soften under heat, and obviously don't work for vac-forming. And then not to mention the smell!

Woot!!! HUGS!